Country Notes Chile 2016-17

Notes for English Language
Assistants Appointed in
CHILE in 2016-17
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in these notes.
However the British Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors which may exist or for any subsequent
changes
Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to

Chile 2016-17
Congratulations on your recent allocation to a post as an English Language Assistant in Chile.
This document contains important information and advice regarding a variety of practical and
administrative matters affecting UK assistants in Chile. They should be read carefully, retained for
reference and considered in conjunction with any papers issued by the Chilean authorities. It is
important that you take this information with you whilst doing your year abroad in order to be able
to consult it at all times when problems/questions arise.
If your permanent (UK) home address, personal e-mail or phone number should change at any
time from now on, please inform us immediately by sending an e-mail to
languageassistants.uk@britishcouncil.org. We may need to contact you during the year with
updates to these notes, invitations or urgent messages.
We hope that you find the following information useful and that you enjoy the year ahead.
Best wishes,
Language Assistants Team, British Council
Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Document compiled by British Council: Information correct @ 22.06.2016. Please inform us during the year of any changes that you come across
Settling In
Contents
The Basics
1.
2.
3.
4.
Co-operating partner
Role of the language assistant
Period of appointment
Predecessors
Pre-departure and arrival

5.
Chilean Embassy and Consulate in

the UK
6.
Passport and visas
7.
Documents to take
8.
Vaccinations
9.
Articles to take
10. Foreign
Commonwealth
Office
Information
Arrival
11. Arrival and Induction meeting
12. Accommodation
Money Matters
13. Monthly Allowance
14. Currency and banks
15. Insurance
Administrative Matters
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Life in Latin America

Life in Chile
Culture Shock
Creating social networks
Travelling around Chile
Personal Safety
Natural disasters/ emergencies
ISIC card
Practicalities
Phoning home and mobiles
Useful websites
Teaching Tips and Resources

29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
Classes in Chile
Observation Period
British Council teaching resources
Language Assistants Manual
Teaching English webpage
Learn English Webpage
Facebook
Teaching materials
Useful teaching websites
Miscellaneous
Useful Contacts
Book List
Quotes
Absence from your institution

Solving problems

The Basics
1.
Co-operating Partner
The Language Assistants Programme in Chile is administered by the British Council in

Santiago, Chile.
British Council Chile

Ricardo Lyon 222 Of. 2001,
Providencia
Santiago, Chile
Ivonne Muller and Deborah Sepulveda are specifically in charge of British Council ELAs:
Ivonne Muller:
Tel: (00)56 (2) 2410 6906
Mobile: 56 9 82001611
Email: ivonne.muller@britishcouncil.cl
Deborah Sepulveda
Tel: (00)56 (2) 410 69 18
Email: deborah.sepulveda@britishcouncil.cl
2.
Role of the Language Assistant
The role of a language assistant is a very important one, and one that we hope you will
enjoy. Please remember that you are a paid member of staff with the responsibilities and
required professionalism that this entails. Please refer to our website for more information
on your role: www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistants-your-role.htm
As a language assistant you are also an ambassador for the UK and its culture. The
way you behave will influence how those around you view the UK and you should
endeavour to be a positive example. If you set a bad example, you could damage the
reputation of the programme and adversely affect the experience of future assistants.
Your first-hand experience of life in the UK is an excellent resource and you should draw
on this during your lessons. We provide a lot of advice to help you incorporate cultural
content into your lessons.
It is important to be resourceful and use your initiative. If you do not think that you are
being used sufficiently in class, make suggestions of topics that you could discuss with the
students, activities you could do
Document compiled by British Council: Information correct @ 22.06.2016. Please inform us during the year of any changes that
you come across
3.
Period of Appointment
The period of appointment for UK assistants in Chile this year will be for from either the
end of July 2016 until the end of June 2017 or from the end of August 2016 until the end
of June 2017. In general, the number of hours of the assistantship will be between 18-20
hours per week, but please check your agreement carefully to find out the exact number
you will be expected to work at your institution. Please check whether or not you will
receive additional allowance for any extra hours worked, as many assistants report doing
extra hours in their main or other institutions to supplement their allowance.
Remember that the academic calendar in the UK and Chile is different (Chile runs from
March - December) so you will probably teach two sets of students. All ELAs are entitled
to a holiday during the month of February and you will receive your payment during this
time. Please note that this can also vary from institution to institution and should be
agreed in writing upon arrival.
Some months before your appointment starts, you will receive an email from the British
Council in Chile asking you to confirm whether or not you will be accepting your position
as a Language Assistant. It is very important that you reply as soon as possible with the
information requested because the earlier you do so, the earlier you will receive a
response regarding your post and contact details of your local education coordinator.
You should also ask them for some information about the school(s) that you will be
working in. For example, it may be useful to know the age range of pupils, the average
class size, the general level of ability, the social background of pupils, the facilities
available, and if you should bring any specific materials from home. It is also important to
enquire about the dress code for teachers and any other general school information.
4. Predecessors
Contact details of assistants appointed to Chile in 2015-16 are also being sent to you. It
should be noted that schools do not necessarily receive assistants from the same
Anglophone country each year, and the British Council holds records of assistants from
the UK only. Past assistants have emphasised how useful it is to contact former assistants
in their area and have described their advice as invaluable.

you come across
Pre-departure and arrival

5. Chilean Embassy and Consulate in the UK
Visa Department
37-41 Old Queen Street
6.London
Passports and Visas
SW1H 9JA
Tel: (00)44 (0)20 7222 3434
Email: condesaconsulado@embachile.co.uk
Before leaving the UK you must be in possession of a passport, valid until at least six
months after the end of your assistantship.
You will have to apply for a student visa at the Chilean Consulate. Whether you are a
current student or not, you should still apply for a student visa. If you are not a student,
you do not need to be concerned about this; the reason that you are asked to apply for a
student visa is because there is not a suitable alternative visa for Language Assistants.
Visa application link:
http://chileabroad.gov.cl/londres/
In order to be able to apply for a visa you will need:

A photocopy of your passport
All pages, except those that are blank
Evidence of financial support
Whether you are graduating or not, you will be required to show evidence of financial
support for the time that you will be in Chile.
If your parents or guardians will support you financially, you will need to evidence
this by asking your parents or guardians to complete the deed of covenant signed and
sealed by a Public Notary of Solicitor. The minimum sum stated should be 1000.
If your parents/ guardians will not be supporting you, you will need to show some
evidence of how you will support yourself financially for example, if you will have a
Student Loan or Grant a copy of a letter confirming this with a bank statement, or if
you are saving money, copies of your bank statements. Please note that you will also
have a letter from the British Council confirming that you have a placement for which
you will be paid an allowance of a minimum of $ 398.000 - CLP per month.
ACPRO Police Certificate
Letter from your University stating that you are taking a course in Chile
you come across
If you are a student and will not be graduating this year, you will need to include
this letter. It should state that you are at X University, commenced your course in a
particular academic year (e.g. 2012-13), that you will be undertaking a compulsory
year abroad in 2016-17 and that you have been accepted on the British Councils
Language Assistants programme, allocated to Chile.
If you are a graduate or will be graduating this year, you do not need a letter from
your University.
Health Report
This can be completed in any country, but it should be completed in English.
Passport photo
Medical insurance
Although the Consulate has not specified particular medical insurance, you must
ensure that you take out a policy which includes emergency repatriation to the UK.
Letter from the British Council confirming your placement as an assistant
This will be given directly to the Consulate by the British Council.
Please bear in mind that visa procedures may vary from year to year. The British Council
tries to obtain the latest information on your visa requirements but we are unable to accept
any liability if the information provided here differs from what the Consulate requires from
you.
7. Documents to take
We recommend you scan your birth certificate before leaving the UK and email it to
yourself so that you have access to it while you are away (and therefore do not need to
take the original with you). You should take your passport, visa and driving license (if
intending to drive) with you, but we would also recommend that you scan and email to
yourself copies of the photo page of your passport, visa and driving license in case of an
emergency. Whilst in Chile, you should carry a photocopy of the photo page of your
passport rather than the original and always have this with you as a means of ID.
8. Vaccinations
The British Council is unable to pay for your vaccines but we recommend strongly that you
get information on the vaccinations needed for Chile before you travel. The National
Travel Health Network
and
Centre will be
a
good
starting point:
http://www.nathnac.org/ds/c_pages/country_page_EC.htm

you come across
9. Articles to take
Based on previous assistants advice, the following articles have been suggested as being
required. Please remember that this is only a basic list and you should by no means feel
obliged to take any of the articles listed below:
First aid kit

Ear plugs: the Latin American culture is a very noisy one, even at night.
Guidebook(s)
Neck pillows for long bus journeys
Plug adapter(s).
Map(s).
Torch.
Waterproofs for the rainy season.
Sun lotion/block: make sure you use a high factor as the sun is stronger closer to
the equator.
Mosquito repellent.
If you are on the pill you might not be able to find your prescription easily.
10. Foreign Commonwealth Office Information

Before travelling to Chile you should ensure that you check the FCOs travel advice
pages: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and ensure that you have subscribed to
updates so that you receive any important changes to the FCOs advice. During a crisis,
advice for British nationals will be published on the travel advice website and updated
regularly, so by subscribing you will ensure that you are aware of any updates. You can
register for emails using this link:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKGOVUK/subscriber/new
We also recommend that assistants read the Advice for Travellers documentation
provided by the FCO, which can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/supporting-british-nationals-overseas/supportingpages/advice-for-travellers
11. Arrival
You will arrange with your institution directly to be met at the airport/ bus terminal. If you
will be arriving in Santiago, pick-up from the airport may be available, so you should check
with British Council Chile and send them your flight details before you leave (this also
includes pick-up from the airport to the bus terminal for those that will be continuing their
trip by bus from Santiago to their final destinations).
The date of your first teaching day depends on your host institution and should be
specified in your agreement once you are in contact with your school.

you come across
12. Accommodation
You should contact your mentor to ask about temporary accommodation for the first two
weeks of your assistantship; accommodation for these two weeks may be paid by your
host institution. They may also be able provide advice about longer-term accommodation.
Please check this with your mentor teacher, who should be able to tell you what to expect
and give advice and help. You may also wish to ask advice from the language assistant
who was in your institution last year, if there was one.
When looking for accommodation please follow the advice given in our Personal
Safety leaflet. When you have found some-where to live, even if it has been arranged for
you, do not sign any agreement you are not comfortable with and make sure that there is
a period of notice written in the contract to avoid problems should you decide to change
your accommodation during the year.
Money Matters
13. Monthly Allowance
All assistants experiences will be different, and you should check the terms with your host
institution. All participating institutions are independent bodies which means that the
allowance varies from institution to institution, and should be confirmed in your contract.
This year the average is 398.000 Chilean pesos. It will provide a reasonable basic
standard of living for one person. Try not to react negatively if you receive less money
than another assistant. Please check whether or not you will receive more for any extra
hours worked, as many assistants report doing extra hours in their main or other
institutions to supplement their allowance.
Your first allowance payment may not arrive until you have been in Chile for around six to
eight weeks. Your allowance will cover basic living costs, but travelling will be an extra
expenditure. Based on advice from previous assistants, it is advisable to leave the UK with
approximately 1000 to cover expenses for the first few weeks.
If you wish to supplement your income by giving private tuition in English, you should
ensure that this tuition does not interfere with your timetable at your host institution. You
are strongly advised not to advertise in local papers or public places. (Please read the
relevant sections of our Personal Safety leaflet). In general pupils are easily found through
school or private connections, i.e. by word-of-mouth. However, it is essential to check that
the other English teachers in your school(s) do not mind, so that you are not perceived to
be stealing their private pupils.

you come across
14. Currency and Banks

You are advised to wait until you arrive in Chile before seeking advice about opening a
bank account. This will allow you to research all the local options, seek recommendations
and choose what will be most convenient for the rest of the year. Your mentor teacher
should be able to advise you about opening a bank account. Please bring your UK bank
details and debit/ credit cards. It is recommended that you have access to your UK bank
account throughout the year, making sure that you have sufficient funds in case of delays
to your salary payment.
ATMs are the best way to get money in Chile. Credit cards are widely accepted, but when
using one please keep in mind that some businesses add a surcharge or recargo of 510% onto your purchases. The actual amount you will have to pay is also dependent on
the exchange rate. We recommend checking with your local co-ordinator to find out the
best way for you to access your money during the first few weeks.
Be aware that you are often charged for using your British debit card to withdraw money
abroad. You may wish to check what your bank will charge you to use this service. Your
monthly allowance is adequate to survive on but you will need more if you intend to travel.
One UK pound is the equivalent of about 1000 Chilean pesos (at the time of writing). You
can find bank notes of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos and coins of 1, 5, 10,
50, 100 and 500 pesos.
15. Insurance
You are required to take out comprehensive insurance to cover you during your time in
Chile. It is important to cover medical and other expenses, personal accident and personal
liability, including repatriation, luggage and personal possessions and cancellation
charges.
You will be asked to sign a declaration for the British Council in the UK to certify that you
will be taking out insurance. It is advisable to leave copies of insurance documents with a
contact in the UK.
In addition to health insurance, it would be wise to consider insuring your personal
possessions. You should also check your parents household insurance as this sometimes
covers possessions away from home. Furthermore, cover for personal liability is often
overlooked, but it is extremely important. If you were the cause of an accident of any kind
e.g. cycling on the road the resulting costs, practical and legal, could be prohibitively
high.

you come across
The British Council is unable to advise on private insurance packages, so you are
recommended to consult an insurance broker for professional advice and to check
whether you are covered by your parents insurance policy. Undergraduate assistants
may find that a "study abroad" policy purchased online is an option. Please be aware that
some insurance policies, usually backpackers insurance, do not allow for trips home
during the year and it is important to check the small print of your policy to make sure that
you are covered. We recommended you research the various options available and
consult other/ former assistants before purchasing a suitable policy. However, any
insurance you purchase should include cover for emergency treatment and repatriation.
Please note that no insurance company will cover you in the event of a natural disaster or
the outbreak of war.
If you do fall ill make sure you keep copies of all medical bills, receipts or other
documents. You will then need these to make a claim.
Please see the FCO website for more information regarding healthcare in Chile:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/chile/health
If you take regular medication, please ensure that you have a sufficient supply before you
leave and that this is labelled clearly. It is also important to find out where you nearest
doctor, dentist and hospital as soon as you arrive. You should ask your school for
information about the facilities in your area and always advise staff and your landlord of
any medical conditions.
Administrative Matters
16. Absence from your institution
Please remember that you are a member of staff and must therefore adhere to the holiday
dates set by your institution. The programme allows for an amount of paid leave (holiday),
giving you the time to travel and see what the rest of the country has to offer. Any
holiday time taken must be established with the host institution in writing prior to
departure.
If you cannot work because of illness you should inform your institution(s) and local
education authority (if applicable) immediately by telephone. You may be asked to provide
a letter from a doctor. This should cover the entire duration of the absence and must be
sent to the school and, if applicable, local authority as soon as it is issued. Any prolonged
absence on account of illness should be reported as soon as possible to your host
institution and to the British Council.

you come across
Requests for leave of absence for any other reason should be made in advance to the
head of the school(s) who is within his/her right to refuse it. You are reminded that if you
are absent from school without prior authorisation, your allowance will be discontinued
from the first day of your absence.
17. Solving Problems

Conditions in Chile differ from those in this country. Any difficulties should be discussed
with your mentor teacher and/or the teacher of the class concerned in the first instance. If
the problem cannot be solved in this way, then you should get in touch with the British
Council in Chile. Satisfactory solutions can usually be found through such consultations.
The British Council in the UK will be happy to offer advice, but should only be contacted
when all other attempts to solve the issue have been made. Problems are dealt with most
quickly and effectively locally, and if contacted the British Council will instruct you to take
the steps mentioned above. Please see the provided Who to Contact document for your
line of referral.
To avoid problems, it is a good idea to form a good working relationship with other
members of staff. You should introduce yourself to all members of the English department.
It is important to be patient and polite and to be aware of others work pressure. Please
remember that it is not good practice to correct the teacher in front of students. You
should always be punctual, responsible and prepare adequately for your lessons.
Furthermore, meeting regularly with your mentor gives the opportunity for them to provide
feedback about your performance and for you to raise any concerns or issues.
Do tell people if you have problems or if you need information as otherwise they will
assume everything is OK. The authorities will not appreciate it if you suffer in silence and
complain six months later. A lot of past assistants may tell you that their assistantship in
Chile was the best year of their life. This can raise expectations and often leads to people
feeling low especially during the first few weeks until they settle in.
Settling In
18. Life in Latin America
In Latin America, there is often a culture of anti-formality which might give the impression
of a lack of organisation and forward planning. Things tend to happen at the very last
minute, and many assistants from the UK find it hard to adjust to what they consider to be
a disorganised society. Usually what is lacking in forward planning is made up for in
making newcomers feel welcome. However, you will need to prepare yourself for certain
you come across
frustrations, particularly at bureaucratic level, even prior to departure; especially when it

comes to finding out specific details regarding your post and visa applications.
Showing an interest in Chilean culture will certainly endear you to the locals. We
recommend you read up as much as possible before you go as this will help you make
conversation and talk knowledgeably to people you meet in the first few weeks.
19. Life in Chile

If you are expecting rumba, salsa, constant tropical heat and the clamour and noise that
distinguishes some of the very Latin South American countries, then you will be surprised
by what you find in Chile. Chile is not a stereotypical Latin country and in many ways has
more in common with its European counterparts.
What this means is that you get an infrastructure that works, less poverty than is
unfortunately characteristic of much of the continent, services, shops and bars of a
standard equal to the UK, and far less crime, muggings or shootings than are a daily
feature in much of Latin America. In this respect Chile is not as daunting or likely to
produce such a tremendous culture shock as some of the harder, less developed
countries on its doorstep.
This is testified by the quick recovery in the country after the earthquake in March 2010
that shook southern Chile. Assistants for 2009-10 stayed in post and report that life in
Chile is almost back to how it was before the earthquake.
Physically, Chile is a stunning country with a number of great cities and its own specific
charm; glaciers and lakes in the South, the Atacama Desert in the North, and all this
combined with some of the friendliest people in the South American continent. During your
assistantship year you will experience this first hand, and become familiar with both Chile
as a country and the Chileans as a people.
20. Culture Shock

Even if you have travelled to non-European destinations before, you might feel slightly
overwhelmed by your experience in the beginning. Some areas can be very poor and you
might struggle to accept this. Latin America is also known for its alleged chaos. Be open to
changes of plans (social and at work), lessons cancelled at the last minute etc. A different
climate and location, feeling jet-lagged after the long flight and struggling with speaking
Spanish all day long might lead to temporary disorientation, self-consciousness and
exhaustion. This usually leads to feeling homesick but please be assured that this is a
very common and normal feeling which usually disappears after a few weeks or even
days.
There are some ways which might help you to overcome this initial culture shock. Try not
to be too hard on yourself; yes, you have come to Chile to live and work there but that
you come across
does not mean that you have to be like one of the locals within a week. Give yourself time
to get over the jet lag and to explore your area. Do not stay in contact only with UK
assistants during your assistantship as this might lead to your feeling alienated for the
whole time of your appointment. However, it is important that you contact them and your
family and friends back home in the beginning to tell them about your experiences. Other
assistants can be a great support as they are going through the same process. Once you
have met local people and have tackled bureaucracy you will realise that life in Chile gets
much easier and you will have an enjoyable time. Religion and family play an important
role in everyday life so although you may at first feel like an outsider, once you have
proved your interest in local people and their culture, you will be welcomed into these
tight-knit groups.
The way you behave and represent the UK will shape the view of the UK of those
Chileans with whom you are in contact. There are a number of frustrations that Language
Assistants to Latin America frequently feel; attitudes towards timekeeping in Latin America
can be somewhat lax, particularly in social settings (although you will be expected to be
punctual to your classes). Machismo and general gender issues might be something with
which female assistants in particular struggle to manage, and unwanted attention in the
street should be expected by female assistants. Discourage this by dressing appropriately
and trying to blend in. Bureaucracy can also be very tiresome. Do not get angry as this
usually does not lead to any results especially when dealing with people in authority.
Ultimately, remember that you are an ambassador for the UK do not criticise what you
cannot change and above all, keep your sense of humour!
Politeness and respect are seen as important everywhere in Latin America. People
generally shake hands when they meet each other and start a conversation with a formal
greeting. If you are unsure always use the more formal usted and remember to use
seor/seora particularly with older people.
Check with your mentor teacher what the dress code is at your institution. Observe the
local dress code and remember that shorts, flip flops and bikinis are for the beach only.
21. Creating Social Networks
Even if you have been to Chile before, it is possible that you will find some things strange
at first and will need a little time to settle in. On arrival, the thought of making friends and
mixing with the locals can seem like a daunting task, but as long as you are prepared to
put yourself out there, it is a part of the experience which previous assistants have found
the most enriching. Give yourself some time to adjust you dont need to feel like a local
within a week and in the beginning youll have a lot of administrative matters to deal with.
The best way to start is with colleagues at school. Make sure you always seem positive,
enthusiastic and willing to learn. Socialise as much as you can with colleagues and accept
all invitations to events, dinner etc. Tell people what your interests are and ask them to let
you come across
you know whats going on in the local area. Do keep in mind that teachers can be very
busy, especially during exam periods.
Apart from your work in the classroom, you may be able to attend other classes in
subjects which interest you. You will find that you become much more integrated into
school life and gain considerably more from your stay if you become involved in activities
organised by the school, such as sports days, theatre or music productions or modern
language societies. Go to school open days or parents evenings as these are also a
good way of meeting people. If you hear about something happening which interests you,
ask if you can become involved. Dont wait to be invited as people may assume that
youre not interested.
It is also a good idea to get in touch with other people in the area before you leave. One
useful way to do this is to get in contact with a previous assistant in your region and ask
them to give you any e-mail addresses or numbers of contacts they made. Another
excellent way to meet new people is to set up language exchanges with local people who
want to practise their English. You could also enrol at a local language school, join
Erasmus societies (at a local university), offer English lessons to colleagues/locals, join a
club and join assistant groups on social networks such as Facebook. There are often
Facebook groups for people who are new to the city/town, which organise different events
to help people make new friends - just search for new in city name Previous assistants
have also suggested joining a local Couchsurfing group as they often organise social
activities.
You should be very careful about how you use social networking sites while you
are an ELA. Keep your profile private so that it can only be seen by people you
intend to see it. If you invite other teachers to be friends, remember to remain
professional in what you say on your wall and be careful what you say about your
employer.
You should not exchange personal contact details with students, invite them to be
friends or accept similar invitations from them. This is likely to be regarded as
inappropriate behaviour. Check with teachers about the schools internet policy,
particularly regarding any online communication involving students either in or
outside school.
It is exceptionally important that you understand issues around child protection,
both to protect the students and also to protect you from any damaging and
potentially serious accusations.
Here are some other ways to meet people within the area:
live with other students/native speakers
enrol for an evening class, join a sports club, music group, choir etc.
get involved in the local culture and join clubs that you couldnt join in the UK
you come across
volunteer for a charity, society, festival, etc.
Former assistants have recommended not spending all of your time with other assistants,
as you wont be able to integrate into your community and life in Chile. On the other hand,
dont feel that you must cut yourself off from them assistants can provide a very good
support network for each other, as you understand each others experiences. Dont forget
that there may be language assistants from other countries in your area. You may wish to
ask your employer if they have contact details.
As a golden rule, try to say yes to every social opportunity presented to you that does
not compromise your personal safety. Accept invitations to places and activities even if
they do not sound interesting as you might meet other people there who do share your
interests.
22. Travelling around Chile
Most international flights fly into Santiago. The national carrier is LAN, but most major
European and North American airlines also fly into Chile regularly. It is up to you to
carefully research and compare each airline before booking your flights. Other airlines
that have been previously used include Swiss Air and Delta airlines.
Most cities and towns have a central bus terminal. A lot of Chileans travel long distances
by bus and year on year assistants tell us that the bus system is fast, punctual and
comfortable and the preferred method of travel. Fares are cheaper if booked in advance
but vary depending by company and season. Ofertas are often promoted both on buses
and flights with Sky often being cheaper than LAN. In the past, assistants have used
www.turbus.cl/ to book bus travel around Chile and South America. Although they are
hard to get hold of, having a student card may also entitle you to some good discounts.
Ask at your institution.
If you intend to rent a car in Chile please keep in mind that you must have an International
Driving Permit. You will also need to check the age requirements to rent a car in Chile. It
might be worth checking locally which renting agencies are recommended. Please also
make sure that you are adequately insured.
An International Students Card (ISIC) might also be helpful to get, for example, discounts
on public transport and admissions to museums. Information can be found on
www.isiccard.com
Santiago is the only city in Chile with an underground system (metro) but taking the bus is
a much better way of getting to know the area to which you have been appointed. Buses
should be clearly numbered and should also show their final destination. To travel by bus
you now have to use a pre-paid public transport card, known as BIP. You can buy the card
in any Metro station and charge it with the amount of money you need (cards can also be
charged in BIP points in local stores). Please check this with your mentor teacher.

you come across
Useful travel websites:
www.budgettravel.com
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.roughguides.com
www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/
www.lan.com
http://www.gochile.cl/en/
http://www.cochajoven.com
www.transantiago.cl
23. Personal Safety

It is very important to stick to the same health and safety rules as you would at home and
always heed advice given by local people. Please see refer to the Personal Safety Leaflet
which provides an emergency telephone number as well as essential guidelines on how to
avoid potentially dangerous situations. Stay alert and take precautions to avoid becoming
a victim. It is equally important to stay informed about local and countrywide events. Read
local newspapers and check the internet, watch the news, listen to the radio and talk to
people.
We strongly advise that you spend some time looking at the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office website and check it regularly as there is a lot of useful and up-to-date information
provided. We also recommend that assistants read the Advice for Travellers
documentation which can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/supporting-british-nationals-overseas/supportingpages/advice-for-travellers
In the event of an emergency, you should contact the British Embassy in Chile or British Council
in Chile. Getting help and information locally is usually more effective and quicker than contacting
the British Council in the UK.
24. Natural disasters/ emergencies

The FCO recommends that you use the following websites, subscribe to alerts and read advice
about what to do in the event of a natural disaster/emergency as well as following local advice:
https://www.gov.uk/reduce-your-risk-from-terrorism-while-abroad
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/tropicalcyclone/index.html
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
https://www.gov.uk/tropical-cyclones

you come across
25. ISIC cards

International Student Identity Cards cost 9 and are available online and from student travel
agents such as STA and BUNAC. They can be used to obtain cheap entry into certain
museums, theatres, cinemas and art galleries. They may also entitle you to certain travel
concessions. Please see www.isiccard.com for further information. Please note that in order to
obtain an ISIC card you need to be a full time student.
For non-students who are under 26 there is the International Youth Travel Card (9), which can
be bought in the same way see http://www.statravel.co.uk/youth-identity-card.htm for further
information.
26. Practicalities
The electrical current in Chile is 220 Volts and they have the European-style plug. Your electrical
items should function normally in Chile, but you will need adapters.
Chileans use the metric system for weights and measures. Distances are measured in km.
Chile is 4 hours behind GMT and observes daylight saving.
Country code
0056
Directory assistance
103
27. Phoning home & mobiles

Be aware that calls to the UK from a mobile can be expensive. Previous assistants have
recommended using Skype and www.voipbuster.com as an alternative.
For most contract phones you may have to have the line for a year. Make sure you dont sign
anything you dont understand. Previous assistants have found pre-pay phones easier to
manage and cheaper and have used phone companies such as Claro, Movistar and Entel.
Recently two new companies have also entered the market: VTR and Virgin Mobile. Ask your
mentor teacher for advice on coverage, cost and popularity of each network in your area.
28.
Useful websites
You can read case studies written by former assistants on our website: (click on the links under
Latin America on the menu on the right-hand-side of the page):
http://www.britishcouncil.org/language-assistants/become/latin-america
Year Abroad Advice: www.thirdyearabroad.com

Chile:
www.visit-chile.org
www.contactchile.cl
www.compartodepto.cl
www.carretes.cl
www.mapcity.com
www.santiagomagazine.cl
www.meteochile.cl
Tourism website for Chile

General info on Chile including accommodation
search engine
Flat/room finding website for Chile
Nightlife information on Chile including concerts
and other major events
Maps of Santiago and Chile
Cultural events in Santiago
Weather in Chile
Latin America:
http://www.latinnews.com/
Latin American Newsletter
http://www.planeta.com/
Global Journal of Practical Ecotourism
www.pulsamerica.com
Latin American news to a global Anglophone

readership
Latin American Resource Centres:

http://www.canninghouse.org/
Canning House in London
http://lab.org.uk/
Latin America Bureau in London
http://www.latin-american.cam.ac.uk/
University of Cambridge: Centre of Latin American

Studies
Teaching tips and resources

29.
Classes in Chile
The size of the class can vary from approximately 25 - 50 students depending on the institution.
The academic calendar in Chile runs from March - December so you will probably teach two sets
of students.
30.
Observation period
When you first arrive you should ask for a period of observation of 1-2 weeks. It may not be
offered to you automatically. Observation will allow you to familiarise yourself with the
environment, to experience classroom management techniques as well as to get to know the
names, faces and personalities of your pupils and gauge their level of English.
Try to note the following:
how the teacher starts and ends the lesson

how the teacher speaks to pupils

how the teacher involves all pupils, including shy ones, in the class activity
what the teachers attitude is to pupil errors and error correction
how the teacher controls disruptive behaviour, lateness and lack of effort
31.
British Council Teaching Resources
The British Council produces and co-produces a range of resources specifically for Language
Assistants. Making use of these will help you greatly to deliver interesting and useful classroom
activities and will support you in solving problems in the classroom.
Please note that many foreign schools are anxious to establish links with UK counterparts in
order to share information and arrange pupil exchanges. Assistants are encouraged to help in
whatever way possible in establishing such links and there is information and guidance on the
British Council website:http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-ie-school-partnerships
You may also wish to find out if your school has any eTwinning projects or set up a project
yourself: www.britishcouncil.org/etwinning.htm
32.
Language Assistants Manual
Language Assistant by Clare Lavery is a resource book designed for language assistants and
provides information on all aspects of the role. This can be downloaded here:
www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/whole_manual.pdf. Please read this carefully as
it is extremely useful in preparing you for your assistantship.
33.
TeachingEnglish Website
TeachingEnglish.org is an online resource centre produced jointly by the British Council and the
BBC has a specialised Language Assistants micro-site:
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/language-assistant
On the site you will have access to:
Teaching tips
Essential UK: Seasonal lesson plans based around UK topics
Primary tips: Help getting started with primary-level students
Classroom games
33. LearnEnglish website

The British Council Learn English website is an excellent free online resource for students of
English with lots of games, stories, listening activities and grammar exercises:
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/
This may be a useful tool for you to use for your teaching but also to pass on to your students
for them to access from home.
34. Social Media pages
Our Study Work Create Facebook page provides an opportunity to discuss teaching ideas and
share your experience with other assistants (we send approximately 3000 Language Assistants
around the world each year).
https://www.facebook.com/StudyWorkCreate.BritishCouncil
Follow Language Assistants on Twitter @Languageasst
35. Teaching materials
One way of making language learning real for your pupils is bringing authentic materials from the
UK into the classroom. Take the opportunity to collect a variety of resources while you are still
at home.
Past assistants have found that the following materials worked well: photos of family and friends
and your home town, lots of postcards, examples of UK coins and notes, train tickets and
timetables, stamps, posters and tea towels to decorate walls, Christmas cards and crackers,
posters and games, UK TV programmes and listings, magazines and local newspapers, CDs,
photos of school uniforms, a school timetable and school report, flashcards, word searches,
maps, tourist brochures, UK food (marmite, jelly, chocolate, custard, mince pies, gravy granules,
etc), adverts, menus, cartoons, comic books, DVDs (e.g. Ready Steady Cook for catering
students), simple recipes e.g. scones, recordings of the weather forecast, London tube map,
tapes of friends accents and conversations, bingo, Taboo etc.
The more materials you can find the better. Think about what worked well for you as a language
student and about which items you find interesting when you are abroad. You can also ask your
host school(s) whether there is something specific they would like you to bring and to find out
about topics you are likely to be asked to cover during your assistantship.
36. Useful teaching websites

Teaching websites
www.onestopenglish.com
www.englishclub.com *
www.bogglesworldesl.com
www.cambridgeesol.org/teac
h*
www.developingteachers.co
m
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcne
ws/hi/teachers *
www.tes.co.uk

www.letssingit.com
http://projectbritain.com
www.lyrics.com
http://www.slideshare.net/
www.enchantedlearning.com
www.prezi.com
www.cartoonstock.com
www.busyteacher.org
www.puzzlemaker.com
http://www.eslprintables.com/
http://www.macmillanenglish.
com/
http://www.vanda51.blogspot
.com/
www.eslcafe.com
www.bbc.co.uk
www.eslpartyland.com *
www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc
www.eslgold.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk
www.esl-lab.com
www.royal.gov.uk
www.eslflow.com
www.visitbritain.com
www.eslflashcards.com
www.visitscotland.com
www.learnenglish.org.uk/kids
www.discovernorthernireland
.com
Miscellaneous
Co-operating partners abroad have requested that the attention of British visitors be drawn to the
severe penalties imposed for drug offences and for taking part in unlawful political
demonstrations which may result in heavy fines and prison sentences. You are therefore
strongly advised not to become involved in these activities.
Married students should note that the allowance is intended to provide for one person only.
However, if an assistants spouse remains in the UK and is unemployed, he/she may be barred
from income support or be required to refund whatever was received as such since the start of
the assistantship. Enquiries should be made well in advance in order to prevent financial
difficulties from arising during a married assistants period of appointment.
Please note the British Council is not the employer of UK assistants abroad and should not be
given as a referee in future job applications. In general the head of the school would be the most
appropriate referee.

Useful contacts
British Embassy in Chile
Please take note of the address of the Embassy below in case of emergency or loss of your
passport.
The British Embassy
Avda. El Bosque Norte 0125
Las Condes, Santiago
Chile
Tel:(0056) (2) 370 4100
Email: embsan@britemb.cl
http://ukinchile.fco.gov.uk/en
Emergency services in Chile
Fire
132
Police
133
Ambulance
131
Book List
Dictionaries
BBC English Dictionary (BBC English/Harper Collins)
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (Longman)
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (Oxford University Press)
Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture (Longman)
Grammar Reference Books
A Practical English Grammar (A.J. Thomson & A.V Martinet, Oxford University Press)
Current English Grammar (S. Chalker, Phoenix)
Basic English Usage (M. Swan, Oxford University Press)
Practical English Usage (M. Swan, Oxford University Press)
Discover English (R. Bolitho & B. Tomlinson, Macmillan Heinemann)
English Grammar in Use (R. Murphy, Cambridge University Press)
Advanced Grammar in Use (R. Murphy, Cambridge University Press)
How English Works (Michael Swan and Catherine Walter, Oxford University Press)
Learner English (Michael Swan & Bernard Smith (eds.) Cambridge University Press)

Basic Methodology Books

The Practice of English Language Teaching J. Harmer Longman
How to Teach English J. Harmer Longman
How to Teach Grammar S. Thornbury Longman
How to Use the Internet in ELT D. Teeler & P. Gray Longman
One to One Peter Wilberg Language Teaching Publications
Also look out for the series of handbooks and source books for language teachers published by
CUP, Longman, Macmillan and OUP.
Quotes
As an assistant, I think you develop your confidence incredibly as you often have to deal with
situations which push you out of your comfort zone. I think your independence improves as well as
your communication skills. I also feel you learn how to be more tolerant. The advantages of an
assistantship are that you have more experience of problem solving, a better knowledge of the
world and an original experience which may make you sound more interesting. If youre an openminded and positive person, do the assistantship!
Elizabeth, Assistant in Chile 2010-2011


Country Notes Chile 2016-17

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Notes for English Language

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Pre-departure and arrival

Chilean Embassy and Consulate in

Life in Latin America

Teaching Tips and Resources

Absence from your institution

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

The Language Assistants Programme in Chile is administered by the British Council in

British Council Chile

Role of the Language Assistant

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Pre-departure and arrival

In order to be able to apply for a visa you will need:

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

First aid kit

10. Foreign Commonwealth Office Information

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

14. Currency and Banks

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

17. Solving Problems

frustrations, particularly at bureaucratic level, even prior to departure; especially when it

19. Life in Chile

20. Culture Shock

live with other students/native speakers

volunteer for a charity, society, festival, etc.

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Useful travel websites:

23. Personal Safety

24. Natural disasters/ emergencies

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

25. ISIC cards

27. Phoning home & mobiles

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Tourism website for Chile

Latin American Newsletter

Global Journal of Practical Ecotourism

Latin American news to a global Anglophone

Latin American Resource Centres:

Canning House in London

Latin America Bureau in London

University of Cambridge: Centre of Latin American

Teaching tips and resources

how the teacher starts and ends the lesson

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

British Council Teaching Resources

Language Assistants Manual

33. LearnEnglish website

36. Useful teaching websites

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

Basic Methodology Books

Notes for English Language Assistants appointed to Chile 2016/2017

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